Two New Systems

[PrISM506]

I've built two new systems on Newegg and I'd like you guys to take a look at them and tell me what you think. I've built one based around an X2 4400+ (939) and one based around an X2 4600+ (AM2). Right now I'm just waiting on the impending release of Intel's Conroe and see where the AMD prices go before I pull the trigger and buy one of these.

939:
-Case: Antec Performance I P180 Silver
-CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Toledo
-MoBo: ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe
-RAM: CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR 400 (PC 3200)
-GPU: eVGA Geforce 7900GT KO 256MB PCI-E x16
-HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 SATA NCQ 3Gb/s 160GB
-Optical: BenQ DW1655
-CPU Heatsink: THERMALRIGHT SI-120

AM2:
-Case: Antec Performance I P180 Silver
-CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ Windsor
-MoBo: ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe
-RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
-GPU: eVGA Geforce 7900GT KO 256MB PCI-E x16
-HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 SATA NCQ 3Gb/s 160GB
-Optical: BenQ DW1655

I didn't list a PSU for either build because I'd like to hear your suggestions on this. I've been looking at Hiper and Enermax PSUs thus far but I'm open to suggestions. The only requirment I have is that it's a modular PSU. What kinds would you guys recommend for these builds? What ideas, changes or suggestions do you guys have on my components? Also, which would you go for? A 939 or an AM2?

 

[acegazda]

First off: nice choice of case, mobo, hdd and optical. You don't need to spend that much on memory though. For the 939 system, get the ocz gold ddr500 available at monarch for $149 shipped. For the am2 system, there is some corsiar ddr2 800 for $165 shipped after MIR. For the video card, don't get a ko. People are saying they run hotter, and you can oc it to beyond those speeds easily, and spend the difference on a vf900. Don't get that cpu for either system. Get a 939 3800+ or an am2 3800+ and oc it because once c2d comes out, it should be cheap... we can only hope. Both those systems would be good for ocing so invest in some good heatsinks... the vf900 like I mentioned and a scythe ninja or si-120, though I can't find the si-120 anywhere.

As for PSUs, enermax is a good brand, though I'd advise to stay far away from hiper. A great psu for your system would be the enermax liberty 500w. Sli capable and 22a on the 12v rails will suit your eeds well. The 7900gt is a low power consumption card so you probably won't need a 600w+ psu, but if you take my suggestion and oc, you might want to consider something along the lines of a 600w fortron epsilon, 600w seasonic s12, or 600w enhance 0560g. All are $100-130. The choice to go for 939 or am2 is a tough one. If you decide to wait a little while, you will have the benefit of having the bugs for am2 sorted out. If you're ordering tomorrow, go with s939.

Finally, People, please don't tell him to get c2d, he knows what he wants and this is good. (You should wait untill c2d forces amd to drop prices however) Happy Building!

 

[Crescent13]

I'd wait until Core 2 Duo comes out.

 

[Operandi]

I was just doing the very same thing newegg , here is what I think?.

The P180 is a bit over-rated in my opinion; it's a great design but it's plagued by "cheaper" materials. I bought my first Lian Li a little over a year ago and can't/won't look back, so that would be my suggestion.

For the S939 system I would go with the Asus A8R32-MVP instead. It runs cooler, offers HD-Audio, and performs just as well if not better.

As for the PSU, there are not many good modular options, and Hiper is not one of them. The Enermax Liberty line is modular, and Enhance has at least one high-end unit that is modular. Of those I would go with the Enhance.

Removing the modular requirement opens a lot of doors; including the Seasonic S12, Enhance, and PCP&C.

For the actual wattage I would look for something in the 350-450 region.

 

[acegazda]

Originally posted by: Operandi
For the actual wattage I would look for something in the 350-450 region.

Ocing a dual core cpu and 2 graphics cards with stability on 450w would be hard. Though the asus a8r-mvp runs cooler than the a8n32-sli (I didn't know the former has hd audio) the ati graphics cards run hotter and would most likely require more power (which is why 450w is the minimum requirements for sli and 500w is the minimum for crossfire) We could debate this, but you're probably right, a crossfire solution would be more powerful for your dollar. Check out the x1800xt which can be found for $225 shipped, don't know about the crossfire master card. What kind of monitor do you have? Resolutions greater than 1280x1024 might benefit from 512 vmem.

Originally posted by: Operandi
Removing the modular requirement opens a lot of doors; including the Seasonic S12, Enhance, and PCP&C.

You forgot zippy. Their gaming power series looks amazing... too bad I can't find it 4 sale anywhere... On second thought, sippy and pcp&c might be out of the price range for OP considering his choice of components.

 

[SoundTheSurrender]

I would go for the AM2 system. Its not = or much more than a 939 system.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: acegazda

Originally posted by: Operandi
For the actual wattage I would look for something in the 350-450 region.

Ocing a dual core cpu and 2 graphics cards with stability on 450w would be hard. Though the asus a8r-mvp runs cooler than the a8n32-sli (I didn't know the former has hd audio) the ati graphics cards run hotter and would most likely require more power (which is why 450w is the minimum requirements for sli and 500w is the minimum for crossfire) We could debate this, but you're probably right, a crossfire solution would be more powerful for your dollar. Check out the x1800xt which can be found for $225 shipped, don't know about the crossfire master card. What kind of monitor do you have? Resolutions greater than 1280x1024 might benefit from 512 vmem.

I didn't see anything mentioned regarding overclocking, SLi or Crossfire and still don't for that matter.

 

[PrISM506]

I'm pretty certain that I won't be doing any overclocking. I feel just comfortable enough with building a system myself without having to dig around and start altering voltages. Maybe in time though. On a side note I forgot to mention that I'll be running the two 7900GTs in SLI. It's probably obvious, but I thought I would mention it anyway.

 

[alimoalem]

why don't u just get one x1900xt? it's like $325 now. only $100 more than a 7900GT.

i'd go with the enermax liberty 500w for the psu.

DEFINITELY get cheaper ram. this Patriot ram has better timings than what you picked and costs almost half after rebates ($130).

i'd drop down to either a s939 or m2 3800x2. if you can, wait til july 24 for the price drops

 

[acegazda]

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: acegazda

Originally posted by: Operandi
For the actual wattage I would look for something in the 350-450 region.

Ocing a dual core cpu and 2 graphics cards with stability on 450w would be hard. Though the asus a8r-mvp runs cooler than the a8n32-sli (I didn't know the former has hd audio) the ati graphics cards run hotter and would most likely require more power (which is why 450w is the minimum requirements for sli and 500w is the minimum for crossfire) We could debate this, but you're probably right, a crossfire solution would be more powerful for your dollar. Check out the x1800xt which can be found for $225 shipped, don't know about the crossfire master card. What kind of monitor do you have? Resolutions greater than 1280x1024 might benefit from 512 vmem.

I didn't see anything mentioned regarding overclocking, SLi or Crossfire and still don't for that matter.

I suggested it, it would save him some $$$.

 

[PrISM506]

Well a friend of mine also suggested some other options for a GPU. He said I could think about doing a single, 7900GTX, a single 7950GX2 or a single X1900XTX as opposed to SLI'd 7900GTs.

Why do you suggest a 3800+ over a 4400+ or 4600+?

 

[acegazda]

Originally posted by: PrISM506
Why do you suggest a 3800+ over a 4400+ or 4600+?

Because it's cheaper and can be oc'ed to speeds superior to that of a 4400+ or a 4600+

 

[PrISM506]

What about for someone who isn't going to OC?

 

[Bobthelost]

Then a 4200X2 or 4600X2 are better. The 4400X2 is the same clock speed as the 4200X2 but has more cache, which doesn't make much difference in real terms.

GPU it all depends, the 7900GTs will be faster than a single card option, but about the same speed as the 7950GX2, 6 of one, half a dozen of the other.

 

[Howard]

At the very least, wait until July 24 for AMD's price drops. I would recommend the Enhance ENS-0560G if you really have to go with a modular supply.

acegazda, what does the Zippy Gaming Power series have that their regular PSUs don't?

 

[acegazda]

Sleaved cables and a fancy paint job... that's all that matters They have more amps on the 12v rails than the regular 6500p and 6600p do. Take the 6600p for example: 46amps 12v and 40amps 3.3v The gaming power series has 48amps on the 12v and 39amps on the 3.3v (I don't know how that works out)

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: acegazda
Sleaved cables and a fancy paint job... that's all that matters They have more amps on the 12v rails than the regular 6500p and 6600p do. Take the 6600p for example: 46amps 12v and 40amps 3.3v The gaming power series has 48amps on the 12v and 39amps on the 3.3v (I don't know how that works out)

The PSM-6600P does 40A combined on the +12V rails. So does the GSM-6600P.

 

[PrISM506]

Zippy has some good PSUs then? I haven't really looked into them much.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: PrISM506
What about for someone who isn't going to OC?

I'd recommend going Pentium 930/940, and putting more $ into a better video card, that is, if they won't wait for C2D.

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: PrISM506
What about for someone who isn't going to OC?

you won't be cpu limited in your games so you won't see the difference in performance

 

[PrISM506]

Originally posted by: bamacre
I'd recommend going Pentium 930/940, and putting more $ into a better video card, that is, if they won't wait for C2D.

I don't think I'll Intel it for awhile. Call me a fanboy or all me closeminded, but I just dig AMD.